This is the first page that appears when you search for ISTJ using Google.

As I was reading it I thought it might be interesting to ask all of you which points you think apply to you and which ones don't. Think of it as an experiment; I thought it might be interesting to compare notes.

I don't like being in a position of authority. I would prefer it if someone else was in charge. The only times when I find myself leading a group of people is when no one else makes an effort to take up that role, and even then, I would rather have it be a cooperative effort than being the one in charge.

I'm not too sure about the "working long hours" part. I would not describe myself that way. Usually if I'm working long hours it's because I have been putting the work off. It's not something I'm proud of but there you have it. Then again, I'm a student at the moment, so maybe once I join the workforce.

I think that being in touch with my feelings goes through phases. Sometimes I am very aware of them, other times not so much... I'm not sure about this one

Everything else seems to be spot on. Some things that are particularly true:

Rule abiding. Unless I think a rule or law is actually doing more harm than good, it's unlikely that I will break it. I think this may have made me unpopular in high school...

Taking other people's efforts for granted. My boyfriend has complained that I don't give him enough positive feedback.

I love facts and I have a good memory for them.

I strive to find security and peace. I think sometimes this turns out to be a negative thing because I am quite hesitant to try new things or take risks, and I feel that I might be missing out on some adventures. I have to make a conscious effort to try new things because my instinct is to say "no".

yeah, I get the rule-abiding. I've never skipped a single class, even if we weren't doing anything in class or I didn't need to be there...I'd go anyways because school rules said that we needed to be accounted for... It annoyed my friend when we've wanted to go to matinee showings and have had to run to the bus.....

This needs to be on the sidebar. Love this webpage. It's got some good info on other personalities too.

As far as I can see, all of this fits me well.

As an ISTJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things rationally and logically.

Top hitters:

Logical. Thinking things through is natural for me. I'll picture all of the consequences for an action, or run through scenarios of an interview in a thousand different ways, etc.

Sensing. Literal and concrete fashion is beyond accurate. I'm terrible with the females due to this. I'll ask, "Yo, anything on your mind?" "nope" <Well she said no so that must mean no>

I love being an ISTJ. I'll run the show from behind the scenes, letting the big players get the glory, but I know deep down I held it all together, and that's good enough for me.

The catastrophe mode can be easily countered with the logic/rationale. Feeling sad? Man ain't nobody got time for that, got things to do, places to go, fun to have. But at the same time, I guess my catastrophe mode is always on; I'm always picturing the worst. I'm usually the devil's advocate for everything: meetings, group projects, brainstorming, etc. Most people view me as a rather pessimistic guy, but despite that I feel pretty upbeat throughout life.

Quiet, reserved, organized, serious, methodical, have sense of duty, peace-seeking, loyal, faithful, dependable, "good citizen": Totally. I'm a bit difficult to get to know, but once we're close, I'm completely and utterly devoted to our relationship. Family and close friends are very important to me. If I had just a slightly different background, I could see myself in some "institution" like religion or military. In fact, I wish I had something like that, where I could devote my life to something I believe in.

Following laws and traditions: Iffy. I kind of follow my own "rules," because I see a lot of others' rules or societal rules as arbitrary or useless or etc. My life is not orthodox, but until you know me I probably do appear to be a rule-follower. I'm very punctual and my outward appearance is more conservative than I actually am. I definitely do avoid breaking laws when possible. I love effective routines and systems.

Working hard on things in which you believe; not working hard on things that seem useless: Totally. I have a terrible time with doing things others want me to do that I don't see the point of. Busywork is my bane.

Facts, remembering facts, having trouble with others' ideas: Totally. Quiz bowl, anyone? I tend to disregard ideas I don't understand or don't agree with unless the idea is presented by someone I respect.

Feelings! I'm not good with them. Not with mine nor anybody else's. I'm fine with talking about them, but I can't pick up on them the way some can.

Uncomfortable expressing emotion and affection, but not with people I truly love: Yes. A true sign of me liking you is touching you or talking about my feelings. But it's painful to do those things until I'm sure I like you. I come across as rather cold to people I'm not close to.

Hardworking, completionist: Yes. If I'm devoted to doing something, it's gonna get done, and I pity the fool who stands in my way.

Aesthetics: I do love art, but my style is quite minimalist and utilitarian. So while I appreciate beauty, things must also have a purpose for me to want them around. Good design is wonderful. My home is immaculate, and I have systems for keeping it so.

Stress, hopelessness: Oh yes. I easily fall into doom and gloom when things don't go as I had planned.

I felt like crying after reading that. That portrait is me, at least 95%!
All through high school and college I was labled weird and anti-social. Everyone insisted I needed to change. My dad still considers me to be weak since I try to avoid conflict.
This has given me some confidence, I now know I am not abnormal.
Thanks for posting this.

I am quiet, reserved, and very serious as they suggest. I also work for very long periods of time on goals that I think are important, and sometimes can spend 14 hours in one day programming (which I admit is not healthy). And I have difficulty expressing emotion.

But I'm not big on random facts to know, and my room is usually dirty so I wouldnt say I keep it "immaculately maintained".

I fell most of that is spot on for me. My only difference is working long hours. If I have something that I'm really into, I've been known to skip on nights of sleep to complete it, but for most of the work, I don't go overboard. Although I do try and get it done in as little amount of sessions at possible.

I remember the first time i read this I found it freakishly accurate. The only point that doesn't fit me is the law abiding part. I've always been against authority and questioned rules and laws. And I mean to the point where I was extremely outwardly defiant when I was younger (power-tripping teachers, police, etc) but have learned to curb that significantly as i've gotten older.
This also tends to spillover into work as there are certain processes I will question if they do not make sense or fit what i'm doing.

believe in laws and traditions, and expect the same from others (only those with which I agree)

not comfortable with breaking laws or going against the rules. If they are able to see a good reason for stepping outside of the established mode of doing things, the ISTJ will support that effort. (will follow strongly only those rules which I think are right)

extremely dependable on following through with things which has been promised

difficult time saying "no" when they are given more work than they can reasonably handle

often works long hours

will work for long periods of time and put tremendous amounts of energy into doing any task which they see as important to fulfilling a goal

will resist putting energy into things which don't make sense to them, or for which they can't see a practical application

prefer to work alone

not naturally in tune with their own feelings and the feelings of others

may have difficulty picking up on emotional needs immediately, as they are presented

being perfectionists themselves, they have a tendency to take other people's efforts for granted, like they take their own efforts for granted

likely to be uncomfortable expressing affection and emotion to others

trong sense of duty and the ability to see what needs to be done in any situation usually allows them to overcome their natural reservations, and they are usually quite supporting and caring individuals with the people that they love

once realizes the emotional needs of those who are close to them, they put forth effort to meet those needs

extremely faithful and loyal

usually are not comfortable with expressing their love

likely to express their affection through actions, rather than through words

excellent ability to take any task and define it, organize it, plan it, and implement it through to completion

very hard workers, who do not allow obstacles to get in the way of performing their duties

do not usually give themselves enough credit for their achievements, seeing their accomplishments simply as the natural fulfillment of their obligations

under stress, may fall into "catastrophe mode", where they see nothing but all of the possibilities of what could go wrong

will berate themselves for things which they should have done differently, or duties which they failed to perform.

will lose their ability to see things calmly and reasonably, and will depress themselves with their visions of doom

here I put most of points from article, they all match me 100%, but about rule/law breaking I'm following only those which are right IMO and I do only those tasks which are worth, but not others

Mostly all of the article can be applied to me, so instead of focusing on that I would rather point what can't be.

Will work for long periods of time and put tremendous amounts of energy.

I value few things, and time is one of those. Work is done on work time, and I rather work efficiently than killing myself over it.

Enjoy being in positions of authority.

This is half true. I had the idea that being in charge was a good way to make things going smoothly. Then again, the week point in that are the subordinates, always.

Traditional and family-minded.

This one is more about how I grew up. My family, has the tradition of not keeping traditions, and mostly stick with routine which is not quite the same. Also, I couldn't care less about my family, I would have to revise that once I get a family of my own.

Under stress, ISTJs may fall into "catastrophe mode".

I am always thinking of "worst case scenarios", so I must live a very stressful life.

Oh gosh... I was reading and I kept thinking of exact scenarios when I acted exactly as described. I always do hard work and finish what I start, base all my actions on practical applications, and "catastrophe mode" perfectly describes what I like to call my "stress-hole".

I'm also glad that it brought attention to:

ISTJs are likely to be uncomfortable expressing affection and emotion to others

because I totally am!! It makes me awkward when people get all schmaltzy and I have to sit through it. Also:

They do not usually give themselves enough credit for their achievements, seeing their accomplishments simply as the natural fulfillment of their obligations.

Because it weirds me out when people (especially my parents or grandparents) make a big deal out of anything I do! Seriously! It's not a big deal to me!

I thought that it was fairly accurate, and interesting. It made me happy that they mentioned our..."off-beat" sense of humour :)

What I had to do is simple. Cleaning the mess the guys leaved behind on the spot. Constantly.

A guy finished the floor, had to scrub and clean it, meanwhile another guy has finish the restroom, had to clean it from the ceiling to the floor, meanwhile another guy finished the front reception, same story.

I'm a ISTJ and a majority of the profile fits me bit it explains why I ofetn feel confused about how I'm supposed to act to a certain situation with the world being so focused on extroverts and me having a little of that in me.

Nothing outside of generally accepted social norms (politeness, I suppose?) and the law should dictate how you are "supposed" to act. A behavioral model test (It's not a personality test) is not a guide for life, it's just a piece of the human puzzle.